What is an Eco-town?
In April 2007, the Communities and Local Government department (CLG) invited bids for eco-towns across the country. These new developments were set five key criteria, which were that: • Eco-towns must be new settlements, separate and distinct from existing towns but well linked to them. They need to be additional to existing plans, with a minimum target of 5,000 homes. • The development as a whole should reach zero carbon standards, and each town should be an exemplar in at least one other area of environmental sustainability • Eco-town proposals should provide for a good range of facilities within the town – a secondary school, a medium scale retail centre, good quality business space and leisure facilities. • Affordable housing should make up between 30 and 50 percent of the total, through a wide range and distribution of tenures in mixed communities, with a particular emphasis on larger family homes. • A management body which will help develop the town, provide support for people mo
